My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

minutes and took a seat at the table with

‘dream’ and received many gasps and

and Zayd exchanging looks the whole time I was talking, making

I finally asked, looking back and forth

that just haven’t been

my

as I stared at

friendly, maybe a little too friendly, and when he

Now we are to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not only bring him down but

"Apollo has never been one to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone

want to hurt him," I repeated

Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it didn’t

odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that would make me feel as though he had lied at any

think Apollo is

this

a part of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but we don’t think he

Zayd told me gently.

being betrayed by my

you think you could get in

about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need

of heads, a resounding, "Yes

as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need to act normal.Don’t let on that

next to me.I

really in

make.Do you want to stay home today, or do you want to go over with

go to the packhouse." I smiled at

you out walking around by yourself,

nodded at him in

We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a

me to the office next door

in front of them that looked to be

"Any luck?"

her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys,

Genesis both looked at me shaking their

Adria replied.

read often.I carefully flipped through the pages as I scanned for anything about

rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go

she

to go get Blaze

the door,

reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not

said he would meet

wall above the door, surprised to

explain

about to miss a meal, I thought to

with everyone as

in her highchair between her

on everything that has happened and is still happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting

conversations are focused mainly on Kyra and how she has

it

ask about Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra or give me

murmured lost

think we should talk privately

of worry, but

get to my head, but I couldn't help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind

stomach felt like it was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he had played

took the kids to her house so they could take

behind all of this," I stated

shot up in

me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any sense now to be able to do this on his own, but Apollo is.What if Devin is nothing more than a foot soldier, so to speak? I know y'all already thought Apollo

room was engulfed in silence once

stopped pacing the office to

saying that I don’t believe you, because I agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t say.I think that Devin is cleverer than you think.We definitely shouldn't underestimate him." Ash

shook my head as I thought about

the

I looked at Zayd.

he was on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or hoping, it

but he did say he was planning to

little, "Why not talk on the phone

all smiled at me, "Vampires are very private, secretive

me to sit down,

with a sigh, wishing none of this

and Colby, Dane looked at Zayd, "I spoke with

people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about the bordering

whole pack, but then again, there aren't too many things he wouldn’t do for

he felt he needed to move

he want to do that?" I finally just

mentioned it before, but now he said he has good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never been

hear his loyalty wasn’t with

me, but he has been willing to stand beside us without hesitation

have Adria call

"remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We don’t

alone in the office, the silence once again filling